Don’t Take the (Race) Bait

Arnold’s most recent nativist
remark — praising the "Minuteman" vigilante groups who are stalking
the US-Mexico border — has certainly caused a furor among opinion
leaders. But it has also shifted the debate. Arnold was swiftly losing
ground when he was forced to talk about his steroidal fundraising and
his attacks on working people as "special interests." But he won’t have
to talk about that anymore if people take the bait. Pete Wilson, who
supplied most of Arnold’s advisors, used the same political tactic to
secure a second term. Bush and Rove won the White House again by
manufacturing their own culture wars. Those who want this Governor to
answer for betraying campaign promises should not let the only
questions become those about the border.